Automobile-engine ventilator.



W. H. GUNDR UM.

AUTOMOBILE ENGINE VENTILATOR.

- APPLICATION FILED IULY I4. |914. I 1,251,223. Patented De@l 25,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. H. GUNDRUM.

AUTOMOBILE ENGINE VENTILATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14.1914- Patented Dec. 25,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I Wea g.

@mi twzoaao l @a/7237707?.

WILLIS H. GUNDRUM, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AUTOMOBILE-ENGINE VENTILATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1917.

Application l'ed July 14, 1914. Serial No. 851,010.

Ventilators; and I do declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use' the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon,

. which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for Ventilating the engines of automobiles. My improvement embodies adjustable devices whereby the hood of the engine may be supported in such a manner as to allow the free circulation of air from the front and upper part of the hood downwardly, the air passing out underneath the opposite sides of the hood which are supported for the purpose. In actual practice, I have found this invention of very great value, particularly in hot weather. It is, of

course, during the warm season that the over-heating of automobile engines is-most troublesome, oftentimes necessltating stopping for a water su ply a number of times during a trip of ordinary length. However, through the medium of my simple improvement whereby the opposite sides of the hood A are supported for ventilatin purposes, I have found that the diieu ty heretofore outlined ispractically obviated. By having the hood supported 1n such amanner that 1t is open at the top and in front and also at the bottom, provision is made for a strong draft of air during the movement of the machine, into the upper part of the space within which the engine is located and out below or underneath the sides of the hood. This draft of air has remarkable effect in cooling the engine and maintaining the water employed for the purpose at a reasonably low temperature, whereby boiling is practically prevented.

In my improvement, I employ adjustable blocks which. when the hood is in its normal position, are spring actuated to maintain the hood in the closed position by downward pressure. Again, when the sides of the hood are raised, the same devices serve to support these sides securely in the raised position, thus Preventing rattling or any undue vibration.

In the embodiment of 'the invention ilhstrated in the drawing", I employ two blocks or supporting devices in connection with each side of the hood.v A rod passes through each of these blocks and is vertically movable therein, a spring,- acts upon each rod to normally maintain the latter at its downward limit of movement, the upper extremity of the rod being so constructed that it acts upon the top of the block to press the latter downwardly in accordance with the tension of the spring. When the hood is in its normal position, the lower part of each of the blocks acts upon the rib at the lower extremity of each side of the hood and holds the latter tightly in place; while when the sides of the hood are raised, this same rib is engaged and supported by the upper extremities of the blocks, the latter being rever-sible for the purpose.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated anembodiment thereof. In this drawing- Figure lis a perspective view of the hood extremity of an automobile, showing the hood adjusted for Ventilating purposes.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through cue of the adjustable blocks of my device and its connections, the same being shown extremity of an automobile equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a slightly modiiied form of machine.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the hood of an automobile engine, the same consisting of two members 6 hinged at the top as shown at 7. Each member 6 of the hood is further hinged at the corner as shown at-8, whereby the top and bottom parts 9 and 1 0 are hingedly connected. By virtue of this construction, it becomes practicable to raise the opposite sides of the hood in such a manner as to form openings 2 at the top and openings 3 at the bottom for Ventilating purposes (see Fig. 1). The lower extremity of each side member 10 of the hood as illustrated in the drawing is provided with a rib 13 which, when the sides of the hood are in their normal or lower position, rests upon the inner portion of a horizontal ledge 14 with which the front part of the automobile frame work is provided.

Mounted upon this ledge on each side of the machine is a plate 15 which is secured to the ledge 14 by means of screws 16 or other suitable fastenin devices. This plate constitutes a part o myimprovement, and is centrally provided with a sleeve 17 which has a relatively long upwardly projecting member 18 and a short depending member 19. The upper part of this sleeve passes through an opening 20 formed in the bottom part 21 of a hollow block 22, which, as illustrated in the drawing, is approximately rectangular in shape and provided. at its upper extremity with an opening 23. Through the opening 23 and the sleeve 17, a rod 24 passes. This rod also extends through an opening 25 formed in the upper part of a channel-shaped bar 26 forming a part of the frame work of the machine. The lower portion 29 of this rod projects into` the space 28 of the channel bar and its lower extremity is equipped with a stop 27 which is held in place on the rod by a pin 30 passed transversely through the rods lower extremity. This stop 27 is circumferentially recessed at its upper extremity as shown at 31, to form a seat for the lower extremity of a'spirial spring 32, which surrounds the lower part 29 of the rod, its upper extremity bearing against the under surface of the upper flange of the channel bar. j

The upper portion of this' rod extends above the top part 33 of the block and as illustrated in the drawing, is'formed into an eye 34 which is relatively large to facilitate hand manipulation. It will be understoody that the upper extremity of the rod may be of any other suitable or desired shgpe.. Between the eye 34 of the rod and the upper part 33 of the block, a clamping plate 35 is located. This plate is provided with an opening 36 through which the rod passes, the plate being secured to the rod and consequently, movable therewith. The tension of the spring 32 normally acts upon the -rod to cause the plate 35 of the latter to press downwardly on the block, whereby the plate is normally held in yielding contact with the upper extremity of the block. The outer portion of this plate is slightly hood-shaped as shown at 37, whereby a curved recess 38 is formed coperating with a similar recess 39 formed in the upper part of the block, to engage the rib 13 of the hood in cooperative relation when the adjacent side ofthe hood is raised for Ventilating purposes (see Figs. 1 and 4).

The opposite diagonal corner 40 of the block (considered with reference to the recess 39) is exteriorly recessed as shown at 41 to lit the rib 13 of the hood when the ad-- jacent side of the latter is in the normal or lowermost position.

As illustrated in the drawing, each block 22 is-tilted whereby one side of its lower extremity is normally slightly lraised from f the upper surface of the plate 15, while the opposite corner rests upon this plate. Again, by virtue of this tilted position, the openings 20 and 23 in the opposite extremity of the block are arranged near opposite diagonal corners. This peculiar construction and arrangement of the block is believed to be the best form or embodiment of the invention, though it must be understood that the invention is not limited to these details of construction, as any suitable or desirable form of adjustable supporting block adapted to perform the desired function may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, instead of making these blocks hollow, they could, of

course, 'be made solid, but this would in-v periments and demonstrations have gonef In other words, the construction disclosed has proven itself entirely satisfactory in actual practice, but for obvious reasons, I do not desire or intend to limit the invention to the precise construction disclgsed or any specific form so far as details are concerned, the only desideratum being that the blocks shall be adjustable and ofl such construction as to perform the function herein outlined.

engage the rib 13 from above.

As illustrated in the drawing, it is intended to employ two blocks 22 on each side of the hood. Normally, or when the sides of the hood are in their normal or lowermost position, the corner 40 of each block rests upon the rib 13 of the adjacent side member 10 of the hood, whereby the latter is securely held in the closed position against vibration .of undue movement.

lVhen it is desired to raise the opposite sides of the hood to the position illustrated in Fig. l, the rod 24 of each device is raised to release the block, whereby the latter may be turned to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. It should be explained that the depth or thickness of the block horizontally is less on the surface exposed in Fig. 3 than is the thickness measured on the same line when the block is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In other words, when the block is adjusted as shown in Fig. 3, its thickness in a direction transverse to the length of the machine. is less than when in the other position. Consequently, when the block is adjusted as shown in Fig. 3, there is sufficient space between it and the adjacent side member 10 of the hood to permit the raising of the latter to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. When the side of the hood is so raised, each `block is further adjusted to bring it into the position shown in Fig. 4. the clamping plate 35 being held 'by the proper manipulation of the rod. out of the way to allow the rib 13 to rest in the recess 39 of the block, after which the plate 35 is adjusted through the medium of the rod to The rod 34 is then released and the action of the spring 32 causes the plate 35 to press downwardly on the rib, whereby the plate is held in cooperative relation with the block for maintaining the side of the hoodin the raised position.

While, as illustrated in the drawing, it

^ is the intention to employ two ofthese blocks on each sideof the hood, it must be understood that a single block may be employed, or even a. greater number than two, if it should be deemed necessary or desirable.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be understood that when it is desired to lower the sides of the hood from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the rod 24 of each block will be raised and the blocks turned to the position shown in Fig. 3. The sides of the hood then move downwardly to their normal position, after which the blocks may be adjusted as shown in Fig. 2.

Attention is called to the fact that the air enters the openings 2 in front of the hood. A portion of this air passes out through similar openings 45 at the rear of the upper part of the hood (seelFig. 5) and another portion downwardly and out through the rear part 46 of the opening below the hood, as indicated by the arrows in each instance. Again, it is found in practice that the air enters the rear part 47 of each opening 3 below the rib 13 of the hood, when the latter is raised.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 6, the portion 48 of the machine forward of the dash board 49 slopes downwardly from the dash board, thus facilitating the escape of air through the openings 45 at the rear of thehood, when the latter is raised as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

By virtue of the osition in` which the hood is held and maintained when its opposite sides are raised for Ventilating purposes, the cool or atmospheric air is vbrought in direct contact with the engine and caused to mingle with the hot air resulting from the radiated heat, and as the air which enters the hood or the-'space inclosed thereby in which the engine is located, passes quickly through the hood and out of the latter from the space or chamber at both the top and bottom of the hood, it is evident that the heat which otherwise would be confined, is carried away and the temperature of the engine so reduced as to prevent the undue heating of the water, as heretofore stated.

Attention is called to the fact that where my improvement is employed, the front pa rt. of the bottom of the body of the machine is kept cool, making the machine much more comfortable than where my improved ventilating apparatus is not employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,-

1. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adjacent the hood and provided with an opening, a spring actuated rod passing through the opening in the block and permitting the adjustment of the latter for supporting and securing purposes.

2. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adjacent the hood and provided with an opening, a spring actuated rod passing through the opening in the block and permitting the adjustment of the latter for supporting and securing purposes, the upper extremity of the rod being provided with a clamping plate having an opening through which the rod also passes.

3. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adjacent t-he hood and provided with an opening, a spring actuated rod passing through the opening in the block, the upper extremity of the block being equipped for supporting the hood in the open position.

4. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adjacent the hood and provided with an opening, a spring actuated rod passing through the opening in the block, the upper extremity of the block being equipped for supporting the hood in the open position, while the lower extremity is fashioned to engage the lower part of the hood in securing relation.

5. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a yieldingly retained block mounted adjacent the hood and adjustable to bring its upper extremity into and out of the path of the side of the hood, as the latter is raised and lowered.

6. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a perforated block, a

rod passing therethrough and movable therein, the rod being under spring tension and acting on the block to hold the latter in proper position for supporting or securing purposes.

7 The combination with the hood of an automobile, of a block of rectangular contour and a spring actuated rod passing diagonally therethrough, the block being loose on the rod and adjustable for vhood supporting and securing purposes.

8. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a spring actuated rod mounted on the frame of the machine adjacent the hood, a block perforated to receive the rod, the block being loose on the rod and adjustable to bring its upper part into and out of the path of the rod as the latter is raised and lowered.

9. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a rod vertically movable in an opening formed in the frame, a spiral spring surrounding the rod and acting thereon to draw it downwardly a block loose on the rod and adjustable supporting and securing purposes, the rod having a shoulder acting on the block to maintain the latter in coperative relation with the hood.

10. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a rod engaging an opening formed in the frame work, a spring surrounding the lower extremity of the rod and'equipped at its lower end with a stop which one extremity of the spring engages, the opposite extremity of the spring engaging the frame work of the machine, a block perforated to receive the rod which extends above the upper extremity of the block, the block being of rectangular shape and the opening for the rod at the top and bottom being near the opposite sides of the block.

11. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a spring actuated rod mounted on the frame work, a block perforated to receive the rod, the block .being of rectangular shape and the rod being arranged in non-parallel relation with the for hood opposite sides of the block, the upper portion of the rod having a shoulder adapted to engage the block for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adjacent thev hood and provided with an opening, a spring actuated rod passing` through the opening of the block and permitting the adjustment of `the latter for supporting and securing purposes, the upper part of the rod being equipped with a clamping plate coperating with the block for supporting the hood, substantially as described.

13. The combination with the hood of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adj acent the hood and adjustable for hood supporting purposes, and a spring actuated clamping plate located above the block and coperating therewith, substantially as described. 1

14. The combination with the hood, of an automobile engine, of a block mounted adj acent the hood and adjustable to permit the raising and lowering of the hood, a spring actuated rod passing through the block, and a clamping plate secured to the upper extremity of the rod and coperating with the block for 'the purpose set forth.

15. The combination with a'hood of an automobile engine, of means mounted adjaand out of the path of the side of the hood as the latter is raised and lowered.

16. The combination, with the hood of an automobile engine, of means supported by the frame work of the machine and adapted to engage the lower ed e of the side of the hood for securing the atter in an elevated position, the said means bridging the space between the lower edge of the side of the hood and the frame of the machine when the hood is secured in said position.

17. The combination, with the hood of an automobile engine, .of means supported by the frame work of the machine and adapted to engage the side of the hood to support the latter in an elevated position, said means bridging the space between the lower edlge of the side of the hood and the frame of t e machine when the hood is in said elevated position. l

18. The combination, with the hood of an automobile engine, of means movably supported by the frame work of the machine and whose opposite extremities are adapted to alternately engage the side of the hood.

19. The combination, with the hood of an automobile engine, of means supported by the 'frame work of the machine and whose opposite extremities are adapted to alternately engage the lower edge of the side of the hood for the purpose set forth.

20. The combination, with the hood of an automobile engine, of means movably sup- In testimony whereof I aix my signaturer ported upon opposite sides of the frame in presence of two Witnesses. Work and the opposite extremities of each of said means adapted to alternately engage WILLIS H GUNDRUM 5 the corresponding side of the hood for secur- Witnesses:

ing the latter in the closed position or for MAZE KIRBY supporting the same in an elevated position. A.. EBERT OiBRIEN. 

